Lawsuit accuses Whole Foods of cheating employees out of bonuses

Whole Foods is in hot water this holiday season for purportedly cheating its employees out of end-of-year bonuses, according to a class-action lawsuit filed this week in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by plaintiffs Michael Molock and Randal Kuczor.

The suit, which was filed on Tuesday, alleges that the grocery chain "engaged in a nationwide scheme to strip hard-working employees of earned bonuses in order to maximize their own profit."

The company stipulates a "gainsharing" program that allows employees in underperforming departments to receive bonuses -- but the lawsuit claims that the grocer is avoiding paying up by shuffling labor costs and creating "fast teams" of employees who float from team to team.

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Whole Foods around the country

A customer enters the Whole Foods Market in Superior, Colorado United States July 26, 2017. REUTERS/Rick Wilking

Tomatoes are pictured at a Whole Foods store in San Diego, California, U.S., August 28, 2017. REUTERS/Mike Blake

The inside of a Whole Foods Market is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

A Whole Foods Market is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

Customers are seen outside a Whole Foods Market in Austin, Texas, U.S. December 14, 2016. REUTERS/Mohammad Khursheed

The inside of a Whole Foods Market is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

Jeff Turnas, President of 365 by Whole Foods Market, walks through a 365 by Whole Foods Market grocery store ahead of its opening day in Los Angeles, U.S., May 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

The salad bar is pictured at a 365 by Whole Foods Market grocery store ahead of its opening day in Los Angeles, U.S., May 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

An employee checks packaged meat at a 365 by Whole Foods Market grocery store ahead of its opening day in Los Angeles, U.S., May 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Express cashier kiosks are pictured at a 365 by Whole Foods Market grocery store ahead of its opening day in Los Angeles, U.S., May 24, 2016. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

Customers check out at a Whole Foods Market in New York City, U.S., February 7, 2017. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid

The inside of a Whole Foods Market is pictured in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S. June 16, 2017. REUTERS/Carlo Allegri

A view of fruit and vegetables in a Whole Foods Market shop in London.

A view of cheese in a Whole Foods Market shop in London.

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Plaintiffs also claim that the practice was implemented nationwide, and "at least 20,000 (potentially many more) past and present employees" were affected.

"I've seen what these people have gone through for 13 years -- they've poured their heart and soul into their jobs for most part," Kuczor, who was laid off last November, told the Washington Post. "It's sad and disappointing that, having worked there for so long, they are victims of corporate greed."

A Whole Foods spokesperson told the Post that the company is investigating the allegations, and that "all necessary steps" will be taken following the inquiry.